New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson stepped up huge to help his squad top the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round last week, recording a team-high 128 yards from scrimmage (53 rushing and 75 receiving).
His impressive play during the Patriots' most important game of the year to date has set up the fifth-year NFL veteran to be a key part of the team's offense throughout the remainder of their postseason run.
Rhamondre Stevenson's Wild Card Round performance made all the difference for the Patriots
Coming into the game against Los Angeles, the Patriots new their opponent's defense, which had excelled at preventing big plays this season, would look to do the same to quarterback Drake Maye, who's deep ball accuracy is among his biggest strengths.
This meant that New England's path to success on offense would largely hinge on the play of their backfield, and Stevenson answered the call in a major way.
The Oklahoma product had the most rushing yards gained out of all running backs on either team during the contest, while posting a game-high receiving yards total. Stevenson's 48-yard catch and run during the game's first quarter was also the longest postseason reception by a Patriots back in franchise history.
.@Patriots RB @dreeday32's 48-yard reception in the first quarter makes him only the second RB in team history to have a 40-yard reception in the playoffs, joining RB Rex Burkhead in Super Bowl LII vs. Philadelphia, when he had a 46-yard reception in the second quarter. pic.twitter.com/AIonTah32p
— Patriots Communications (@PatriotsComms) January 12, 2026
How the Patriots have benefitted from Stevenson's late-season surge
Despite a rough start to the year, fumbling the ball three times over New England's first five games, Stevenson has turned things around down the stretch, averaging 98 scrimmage yards with six total touchdowns through the final five games of the regular season.
That hot streak included his AFC Offensive Player of the Week performance in the Patriots regular season finale win over the New York Jets, where Stevenson had seven carries for 131 yards and two scores (as well as a season-high 53 yard run), while adding two catches for 22 yards and another score in the passing game.
With that stat line, he became just the fifth player in team history to put up at least 150 yards from scrimmage and score three times in a single game.
Stevenson's bounce back to form has so far carried into the playoffs, and New England could need him to once again come up big for the team with another tough defensive matchup in their upcoming Divisional Round contest against the Houston Texans.
Facing a pair of Pro Bowl edge rushers in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter bookending Houston's top ranked defense in terms of yards allowed, the Patriots will need to force the Texans to respect their run game in order to give quarterback Drake Maye time in the pocket.
That's where Stevenson could play a massive role; his success could have a huge impact on the outcome of this game.